Afant News

AFANT Email InDepth #8

AFANT Email InDepth #8
23 July 2009

IF YOU DON’T WANT THE COMMERCIAL BARRA FISHING CLOSUE IN FOG BAY TO ONLY COVER THE MOUTHS OF THE FINNISS AND LTLLE FINNISS YOU WILL HAVE TO LET GOVERNMENT KNOW NOW
The formal 28 day public consultation period on the proposed closures of Bynoe Harbour and the Fog Bay area to commercial barramundi fishing has commenced.
We believe that the proposed closure lines for Bynoe Harbour are appropriate but many fishers are telling us that the proposed “box” closure covering the moths of the Finniss and Little Finniss Rivers is totally inadequate and will do little to ensure the transfer of the barramundi resource in the area from the commercial to the recreational fishing sector which is the intent of the current licence buy-back program. The maps below show the proposed closure lines for Bynoe Harbour and for the box at the front of the Finniss and Little Finniss

Commercial fishing interests are pushing very hard to get Government to further reduce the proposed closed area in Fog Bay and we assume they will be making submissions on that basis.
We’ve got one shot at getting a proper closure for Fog Bay and that is if enough fishers take the time to write or email and tell Government what they think.

The postal address for comments is:
Executive Director, Fisheries
GPO Box 3000
Darwin NT 0801

You can also email comments to NT Fisheries (fisheries@nt.gov.au) and to Fisheries Minister Kon Vatskalis (minister.vatskalis@nt.gov.au).

All you have to say is:
1. that you support the proposed closure lines for Bynoe Harbour
2. that you do not support the closure lines in Fog Bay as proposed
3. that you believe the closure line for Fog Bay should extend from Point Blaze to Patterson Point (or another closure line if you prefer).

If you are emailing your response, please cc us at research@afant.com.au so we can keep track of responses.

There is a real chance for us to get a good result here if enough people take the time to let Government know what they want so please try to at least get an email off on this one. The result we should have is shown on the Preferred Closure Map below.

Please make sure you do something on this before the closing date for comments which is 17 August 2009.